Loons and Logs

Saturday, July 19th – 11am

The Annual Rubber Loon Race is going back to its origins with ‘Loons and Logs’ making a comeback! The Loons and Logs event originally celebrated the connection between humans and the natural history of the Adirondacks but, just like nature has evolved and changed so has this event. With the loss of the bridges on the Sucker Brook Trail due to the unprecedented flood on July 11th, 2023, which served as the start and finish lines, we have decided to change things up and test our loons' diving skills instead! We are excited to see which loon will be crowned the best diver! Like in years past, you can sponsor a loon for $10 for your chance to win the title of the first-ever Loon Diving Champion (and a prize, of course).

Since the event is all about Loons and Logs, we thought it would be fun to embrace losing our bridges by challenging you to build a bridge made of logs - well, popsicle sticks, but still wood. For just a $10 entry fee, you can show off your design skills in the Build Us Bridges! Competition. Construct the bridge that can hold the most weight and earn the title of Bridge of Brawn or go for aesthetics and compete for the title of Bridge of Beauty. One entry fee lets you compete in both divisions. The top competitors in each division will win a night at Huntington Lodge on the ESF Newcomb Campus.

To sponsor a loon competitor visit https://www.esf.edu/aic or to register for the bridge building competition visit and click the links for each event.

Monkey & Francine in the City of Tigers

Music by Kamala Sankaram, Libretto by David Johnston
originally commissioned by Houston Grand Opera To Go in partnership with American Lyric Theatre
July 12 – 10:30 am – Boathouse Theater, Schroon Lake, NY*

Utilizing music from both Western and non-Western styles, Monkey and Francine in the City of Tigers is an action-packed tale of bravery, smarts, and family ties. Brave Monkey and clever Francine work together to escape the clutches of a dishonest Crocodile and the evil Lord and Lady Tiger to save their family and their kingdom. Their teamwork and bravery show them and their parents that when they work together, they can accomplish anything.

Also on tour across the North Country – see schedule below:

Tuesday, July 15 – 6:00 pm – Elizabethtown Social Center, Elizabethtown, NY
Wednesday, July 16 – 10:15 am – Knight of Columbus Pavilion, Ticonderoga, NY (presented by Ti Festival Guild)
Friday, July 25 – 10:00 am – Sembrich Opera Museum, Bolton Landing, NY
Tuesday, July 29 – 10:30 am – Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek, NY
Wednesday, July 30 – 10:00 am – Lake George Senior High School, Lake George, NY (presented by Caldwell-Lake George Library)

Huntington Lecture Series – The Nature of Place

Thursday July 17th  - 7pm

Edward Kanze – Naturalist, author, Adirondack Naturalist, and photographer

Naturalist, author, Adirondack Naturalist, and photographer Edward Kanze will share a selection of his favorite digital images showcasing the rich flora and fauna of the Adirondacks. He’ll also discuss his newly released book, The Nature of the Place: On the Flora and Fauna of the Adirondacks, a heartfelt tribute to the region’s natural wonders. Following the presentation, Ed will take questions on topics ranging from wildlife and ecology to the writing process. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing.

Huntington Lecture Series - Mountains, Miles, and Morale: the 90-miler Mission

Thursday July 10^th - 7pm

Eileen Viscer – General Bio Course Coordinator/Outdoor Studies Instructor 

Eileen Visser will talk about the September tradition of adventure, challenge, and comradery that is paddling the Adirondack Canoe Classic from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. 

Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Libretto by W. S. Gilbert

Start your summer season with this staple of stages from Broadway to Main Street. All are promised a swashbuckling good time and laughs a plenty. From “Poor wand’ring one” and “Oh, is there not one maiden breast” to “I am the very model of a modern Major General”, no one will walk out of this show without a tune in their head.

Opening Concert for the Seagle Festival is here!

Seagle Festival’s traditional season opening concert returns once again to start off the summer season. Join all thirty-two 2025 Seagle Festival emerging artists as they introduce themselves through song. A one-night-only event.

Carmen is Back!

Music by Georges Bizet, Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Sung in French with projected English supertitles

A mainstay of the classic operatic repertoire, Carmen returns to Seagle Festival after more than a 20-year hiatus. The spectacle, the drama, and the unforgettable tunes including Carmen’s “Habanera”, Escamillo’s “Toreador”, Micaëla’s “Je dis”, and Don José’s “La fleur” are some of the most treasured of all time.

Huntington Lecture Series - Bogs, Birds, and the Boreal Beat: Climate Change and Life at the Edge of the Boreal 

Thursday July 24^th - 7pm

Michale Glennon, Ph.D. - Senior Research Scientist

New York State’s Adirondack Park is a large, intact breeding ground for numerous migratory bird species, several of which are declining throughout their range. A unique component of the Adirondack avifauna is the birds inhabiting the boreal peatlands of the park. Climate change is now widely recognized as the pre-eminent threat to biodiversity in the 21st Century. At the southern range extent for this ecosystem type and many of its avian inhabitants, the park is a valuable location from which to monitor changes in bird populations from a warming climate. Findings from long-term monitoring of boreal birds in the Adirondacks suggest that bird responses to climate change may be mediated by land use patterns, highlight the importance of a patchy habitat distribution, and raise important implications for potential conservation strategies in these habitats.

What is a zine?

Saturday, July 26^th – 11am

What is a zine? Zines are self-published mini booklets and this workshop will teach you how to make your own! This workshop will show participants how to use a single sheet of paper to create a little book that can be easily copied and shared with friends, community and family. Using suggested prompts or one’s own imagination, participants will fill pages with words, drawings and/or collage. This workshop is all about connecting (or reconnecting) with creative play and self-expression while learning about the power (and fun!) of self-publishing. 

No drawing experience necessary! 

Materials needed: colored pencils and markers, scissors, 8.5 x 11 sheets of printer paper, scrap magazines/books, glue sticks. 

To register email shample@esf.edu or use the link for easier registration: https://forms.gle/x9uhTFcTD4Q5RaCp8

On Saturday, July 19,  Schroon Lake Live!! is thrilled to present a spectacular, creative production by The Puppet People at the Boathouse Theater.  

Come see this hour-long show featuring life-size puppets and wonderful music and songs that will have children of all ages mesmerized. This production will take place in the intimate BoatHouse theatre and, like all Schroon Lake Live!! shows, will be FREE FREE FREE!  Projected time will be 11 am, but look for more details soon!  Bring your family, neighbors, kids and grandkids!!

Sponsored by the Schroon Lake Arts Council. Visit schroonlakearts.com for more information.